Every one of the eight FA Vase 5th Round ties involve at least one club for whom victory would mean a record run for the club in the competition, although Emley AFC claim to be a continuation of the original Emley club and so their tie against former winners Whickham FC may be the exception.
Whickham FC is one of two former Vase winners, and they will be looking to avenge a 2-0 defeat by the original Emley club in the 4th Round 27 years ago. The other club to have lifted the Vase still standing in this season’s competition is Deal Town who travel to Bridgwater United who themselves have equalled their best Vase run for the second successive season.
Jersey Bulls are also equalling their best run in the Vase this season, set for the first time just last year, and they host Falmouth Town for whom victory would mean equalling their club best Vase run. Jersey Bulls are one of three Combined Counties clubs still involved in this season’s competition, the joint highest representation of any of the Step Five leagues along with the Essex Senior League.
And it’s an Essex Senior League club that is also equalling their best run in the Vase this season, Great Wakering Rovers, although it is 22 years since the club last made it this far. However, the Essex Senior League side has only had four Vase campaigns in that time. They travel to former Semi-Finalists Highworth Town.
The Worcestershire derby between Stourport Swifts and Worcester City will result in one of those two clubs setting a new personal best run in the competition. This is also the case for Tilbury FC versus North Greenford United, both of whom are already on club record breaking Vase runs.
A third tie will also result in a club record Vase run as Hilltop FC host Romford FC at Cobham FC. Hilltop had only ever gone as far as the 1st Round in the past and have the least Vase experienced of the final 16 clubs left in the competition.
The last of the eight ties is the only one that has happened before in the competition as Hallam FC host Lincoln United 34 years after the visitors won 2-1 in an Extra Preliminary Round replay. A repeat win for Lincoln United would equal their best Vase run, whilst Hallam are already matching their best Vase run this season, last set 43 years ago!
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